Archive of Our Own

The crowd cheered and applauded as Barbara just finished one of her songs. 

"Thank you, everyone!" She giggled as she tried to catch her breath from her previous performance. 

Diluc stood behind the bar as he stood with Charles as they continued mixing the drinks for the customers. Glass after glass rolled off the counter, business was good, it seems. It was Valentine's day, after all.

"Business is good tonight, ain't it sir?" Charles gleefully says as he whipped up another cocktail for one of the patrons.

"...just as long as there's no trouble here tonight." The tavern owner replied as he pulled out more glasses from under the table. He would glance at the door every now and then when it opened, trying to check each and everyone that goes inside the tavern. He wasn't expecting anyone, it was just a force of habit.

One particular person who entered moments later gave him a shock, though.

Jean just got off her shift at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, after some pestering and persuasion by Lisa and Kaeya. The moment she stepped inside the tavern, she glanced at the counter.

The two of them locked eyes for a moment.

"..and now, for my next song.." Barbara walked to and from on the stage, still staying inside the confines of the spotlight while putting one finger on her cheek. "..I'm not sure if this is fit for today's occasion..."

The crowd urges her on with cheers and shouts.

"Okay! This song is written by a certain someone.." She stops for a bit as she looks at somewhere, as if being signalled. "..Oh! Sorry, that was supposed to be a secret!" She puts her finger on her lips in a "Quiet" gesture. 

The Dandelion knight made her way towards the counter. 

"Master Diluc." Jean bowed. 

"Acting Grandmaster." Diluc nodded. "Please take a seat. What will you be having?" 

"What would you recommend?" She glances at him with a slight smile as she pulls a stool and sits down on the counter. 

"Hmm. Let me mix something up for you." Diluc dryly replied as he turned towards the opposite counter and started browsing the bottles and ingredients available there.

The instruments begin playing as Barbara starts humming the opening tunes of her next song. Jean glanced at Diluc's back as she listened to the opening lines of the song.

Many years have passed right before me /

as I stare at the ever changing scenery /

But time is cruel that way /

or so that's what they say

Diluc paused as he heard the first few lines of the song. "Odd." He thought. He shook his head and continued to gather the ingredients for the Acting Grand Master's drink. Two shots of Dandelion wine, Sunsettia and Berry extract, and... something to counteract the sweetness?

"..Woulc you prefer it to be sweet or-?" He looked over his shoulder, only to see her looking at him.

Used to think that we would last forever /

promised that we'd always be together /

But then it fades away /

it all fades at the end of the day

"Ah." Jean snapped out of her trance when she noticed him asking him something. 

"Do you want it sweet or not?"

"Sweet is fine." 

As time keeps on spinning /

I wonder and I ponder /

"Do you think of me like I do you ?"

Diluc listened as he started mixing the drink in a cocktail shaker. He gave it a couple of vigorous shakes before pouring it in a slender glass. He then took a an orange slice and placed it on the brim of the glass. 

It was strage to see Jean here, and on a workday, too. Stranger still was the song that Barbara was singing. He tried his best to focus on his work, but the lyrics were, for some reason, speaking to him.

Jean listened to the song intently. She recieved an invitation from her little sister to watch her perform that night, and she saw this as an chance to get close to her. But instead of getting closer to her sister, she ended up here instead.

With the one who hurt her, many years ago.   

The sadness that I felt /

and the pain that we both dealt /

I hope it all just goes away forever

"I hope this makes things better." Diluc murmured as he placed the glass in front of the distracted Jean. Must be the workload from the Favonius headquarters. She does have a tendency to push herself too hard.

"Will it, though?" Her eyes met his.  

Diluc replied bluntly. "If you're really that tired, then maybe you should get some rest." He placed the glass in front of her and carefully slid it foward. "Dedicated as you are, you wouldn't be produtive if you get sick." He quickly went back to the opposite counter after speaking.

Jean sighed. "..still dense as ever." Still, she didn't know what came over her when she said her earlier statement. No sense in opening up old wounds right? 

"Why is she bringing this up now?" Diluc nervously cleaned the glasses as he turned his back on Jean. He didn't expect her to be that... forward.

But isn't it strange how these /

feelings tear me right apart ? /

wherever and whenever /

you're always in my heart

Jean and Dlluc kept silent as the words from the song echoed in their heads.

The Acting Grand Master glanced at the ice in her glass as she felt a dull pain in her heart. She remembers the pain when he left. Could she blame him? He changed after his father's death. She knew deep inside that he was never the same after that.

The Tavern Owner glanced at one of the cracked glasses on the counter. How fragile, he thought. He remembers Jean's face when he said he was quitting as a Knight of Favonius. She respected his decision, but he knew she was against this. 

Her tears gave her away as he walked away from her then.

Jean drank from the glass, downing half of its contents in one gulp.

Your voice still remains /

like the way you used to say my name

"Diluc.." She never called him without honorifics ever since their falling apart.

No matter what we go through /

we'll end up just the same

He turned to look at her, and saw an expression that brings him back to days gone by.

"..thank you, this one's good." Jean smiled as she raised her glass.

"You won't last long if you keep drinking like that." He teased as he put away the cracked glass.

The pain that I feel /

will not heal /

it keeps on piercing through

"What's with this song?" Jean chuckled. "Its valentines' day today right? Why is it so.."

"..sad, huh?" Diluc pulled a stool opposite Jean and sat in front of her.

I'll cherish all the love and /

the time I spent with you

"I don't think its sad at all." He takes out a glass and pours grape juice in it. 

"Hmm?" Jean tilts her head as she watches him take a sip of his drink. "How so?"

They're linked like a chain /

all my feelings they will never change /

Now until forever /

this love can't be explained

"I think this is a song of reconciliation." Diluc explains as he glances at Barbara on the stage.

"Too sad for valentines' day, still." Jean replied.

"Valentines' day isn't just for Romantic Love." 

The two lock eyes.

There's nothing I'd want to forget /

no reason to hate or regret

"Cheers?" Jean nervously tried to break the silence.

Diluc pushes his glass against hers. "Cheers."

The two finish their drinks in one go. 

It's just that I had wished for a perfect world /

but no, it wasn't so

"I'll make you a new one." Diluc reached for Jean's glass "..on the house, as thanks to the Acting Grand Master's services to Mondstadt."

"I am honored, Master Diluc." Jean said in a playful tone. She felt a bit dizzy, she realized. She went straight to drinking without eating anything for dinner. A good recipe for trouble, and a horrible morning after.

You're no longer the one

I always dream of

Jean pondered as she watched him go over to the opposite counter. How did she feel about him back then? He was a dependable senior. He was often blunt and uncaring, but she knew his real colors.

She liked him, and she knew he liked her back.

Back then, anyway. 

Think it's time that I

should find a new love /

A love that goes as planned /

not one that will just end

Diluc poured the contents of his mixer into another glass and turned to give it to Jean.  

"A love that goes as planned." Many times has she recieved offers of arranged marriage a few years back, but she would turn those down everytime. She found the prospect of these arrangements insincere. They were only after her body, and probably after her status.

She longed for a love that was real. Like the ones she read in her romance books. A love that would grow old with her.

A love like..

She thinks back to a certain time in the past.

Jean immediately downed the glass as she recieved it, almost finishing its contents in one chug. 

"You're in a hurry, aren't you?" Diluc started to look worried. She never drinks this much, even back then when they were a bit younger.

"Another one." Jean demanded. By this time, she was staring to feel funny, and her face was starting to get flushed. 

He reaches at her glass to take it away. "I'll give you another one when you're a bit sobered-" 

But before he could finish his sentence, just as he grabs her glass, Jean's other hand clutches his. 

"Wha-" 

Like the sun that comes after a rainstorm /

All the feelings in my heart are reborn

They lock eyes as the verse played. 

Diluc felt her hand tremble on his. Her longing eyes met his, as if wanting to say something her mouth can't seem to convey. 

My broken heart has healed /

but tell me if this is all real

Jean squeezed his hand for a moment before letting go.

"Ah, I.." She looked away. She put her hands on her cheek and felt the warmth build up on her face.

"I'm sorry, I think I'm.." Tears began to well up in her eyes.

She looked up and saw his hand reaching towards her face.

As seasons keep on changing /

our feelings rearrange /

but I will think of you /

just think of me too

She closed her eyes in anticipation, only to get flicked in the forehead moments after.

A vague memory of their past stirs in her mind. She got tricked into getting drunk by Kaeya when they were still trainees. When she was getting out of hand, it was Diluc who helped her sober up.

This was the same way as it was back then. A strong flick to the forehead. As she reeled back in her seat, she glanced at Diluc. Visions of the past and present mix together in a surreal painting.

She heard both the past and present Diluc say. "Pull yourself together, sheesh." 

The moments that we shared and

the times when we both cared /

they'll always be a memory within me

Diluc started to laugh a bit as Jean stared at him. "This is why I didn't let you drink."

"This is why I don't let you drink, Jean." The words of Diluc from the past also echoed in her head.

"Just like that time, huh." Jean chuckled slightly as she massaged her forehead with her hand.

"Yeah." Diluc caught himself smiling as they looked at each other. "Strange that you still remember that."

I always believed, when you'd leave /

you'd still be in my heart /

even if we're together /

or if we're far apart

"Of course I do! I.." 

"...I missed those times." She murmured. Diluc looked at her with a concerned expression.  

"It must be the alcohol talking, what the hell.." Jean chuckled. "..Forget what I said, alright?"

Diluc felt a pain in his chest as he heard those words, as he saw that pained smile. He hurt her back then. Is he still hurting her now? 

"Jean.." 

I know that in time /

I will find a way to ease the pain

"I'm sorry for being weird, Master Diluc." She cleared her throat as she stood up. She took a few coins from her pouch and laid it on the counter, avoiding Diluc's gaze. "Please, excuse me."

"Jean, wait-"

I hope that I'll be able /

to laugh with you again

Diluc watched her go. He was expecting her to go home, but strangely, she didn't head for the door. She went deeper into the tavern. He tried to move out of the counter, but another patron lined up to get an order. "One moment, sir." He says to the patron before his eyes dart around to look for Jean.

But isn't it sad /

how we've moved on from all that we had?

He glanced towards the tables, but was unable to see Jean anywhere. He clenched his teeth in frustration.

As he scanned the room, his eyes managed to meet with Barbara's. The idol simply darted her eyes towards the stairs and tilted her head as she sang.

Diluc nodded and climbed over the counter, almost knocking over some cups and utensils. As he got down on the other side, he navigated his way through the crowd of people, and made his way towards the second floor.

Sometimes I still miss it /

all of the good and bad

"But the way things are now.. I can't let it.." Diluc hurried up the crowded stairs and almost tripped upon reaching the top.

He frantically looked around to spot any sign of her blonde hair. Her royal blue cloak. Her light sapphire eyes. He managed to see a familiar face at a far table. An eyepatched young man with blue hair. 

Before he could react to his presence, Kaeya glanced over towards an open door at the end of the room, before raising his glass, as if giving him a toast. Diluc waved him off as he made his way towards the terrace.

"My, my." Kaeya took a sip from his glass. "..what an interesting turn of events for you, Master Diluc."

No need to pretend /

we both know how we felt in the end

He paused as he reached the doorway. Was he prepared to deal with her feelings? He wasn't even sure with his.

He took a deep breath and walked out the door.  

Now until forever /

We'll always just be friends.

Diluc stepped out onto the deck and saw Jean leaning onto the terrace. 

He walked up to where she was, before leaning on the terrace as well. Jean glanced at him for a moment, before looking back at the sky.

Diluc didn't know what to say and Jean didn't know where to start. Nobody wanted to take the first step.

So, both of them stood in silence together as the song ends.

Meanwhile, the crowd cheered as Barbara finished her song. "Thank you all!" The crowd prodded her to tell them more about the last song.

"Oh? This song? I can't tell you who made it excactly, but-" The crowd hounds her for the answer.

"The writer goes by the nickname..."

"...Dandelion!"

Diluc's eyes widened as she heard Barbara's announcement from below. That was the same nickname they used when they were trainees.

Dawn and Dandelion.

Jean raised his arms in an "Oh well" gesture. 

"I made that song when you got back here in Mondstadt after being away for so long." She dispelled the awkwardness she felt as Diluc turned to face her.

He paused as he glanced at the teary eyed Jean. Her eyes were red, and it looked like she had been crying for some time. He didn't seem to notice it when he got there.

"...but you know, I never did finish that song. I couldn't. The last two lines weren't mine." She explained.

Diluc raised his right hand to Jean's face, gently caressing her cheek.

"I didn't want to end it like that." He said. Jean stared at him with longing eyes. He waited for a reply, but he got none. Did she hate him? He wouldn't mind. He didn't expect forgiveness to be given to him so easily.

Jean reached up to his hand and gripped it gently. Diluc steeled himself for her reply.

Only for her to suddenly throw up in the space between them. No dinner and a significant amount of alchohol don't really mix.

----

Jean had her head down on one of the tables on the balcony while Diluc sat beside her. They sat together in silence as the tavern was starting to wind down for the night. Luckily for her, she didn't much vomit on her. Unfortunately for Diluc, most of it got on him. She had to sit down, incapacitated as the tavern owner cleaned up her mess earlier.

"Sorry." Jean groaned. 

"You should've eaten something when you got here." Diluc complained as he placed his vomit-soaked coat on one of the chairs.

The two glanced down on the street and see Barbara walking back and forth, as if waiting for someone. A few moments later, a boy appeared on the corner and jogged his way to meet the idol. Jean goes up from her chair and goes to the ledge to spy on the two.

"Sorry I'm late!" Bennett gasped as he placed his hands on his knees. "Is it over?"

"You missed everyhing!" Barbara had a disappointed look on her face. "I even practiced a song for you, you know..."

"Oh?" Diluc joins Jean on the ledge. "Your sister has a-"

"I didn't know this." Jean stared in wonder as she peeked down on the two.

Bennett scrached his head, apologizing as Barbara crossed her arms. He seemed to be hiding something in his hand.

The Acting Grandmaster smiled. "Oh, a surprise?"

"..so, lets get dinner?" Bennett said. "I'll whip up something special for you!"

"I want something spicy." Barbara pouted. "Something really spicy."

"What's that in your hand?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing." 

And the two continued walking away from the Angel's share.

"Ah, to be young and in love." Jean sighs. "Barbara's getting ahead of me, I'm jealous.."

"You're still young. No need to be." Diluc watched the two disappear into the corner of the street.

"Hey, do you think they'll end up like us?" 

"Like us.." Jean already came to terms with their situation. 

"I think they'll do just fine." The tycoon glanced at the Acting Grandmaster.

"I don't think our song is finished anyway."

"We're in too deep for the ending to change." "What are you saying?" Jean protested in her mind. 

"We can always start over.."

Jean glanced back at him with a startled expression.

The two stayed silent for a moment before looking up at the night sky.

Jean leaned her head on Diluc's shoulder as the evening breeze swept by.

"I'm holding you responsible for this." She pouted. "Don't give me hope, idiot."

"Yes, maam." Diluc sighed.

The two stood there silent for the rest of the evening. No further words were exchanged, but both of them came to an understanding. Their song was unfinished, but was too far in for them to reach the ending they wanted.

So why not make a new one?

-----